Taxing time ahead for evaders

JAIPUR: The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) is all set to launch a massive drive from October 1 for attaching, sealing and auctioning properties of those against whom urban development tax is overdue. It asked the revenue department on Tuesday to get ready for the drive against those who don't pay up by the due date despite being served notices and demand notes several times in the past.
JMC CEO L C Aswal told TOI that the civic body has prepared a list of those persons, institutions and commercial establishments who owe it between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh under the head."We have prepared a list of 1,043 such defaulters. I hereby appeal to the people to pay up or face strong action. This time, no one will be spared," he added.
The list suggest that fees, taxes, lease money, fees for land use change have been pending with the citizens in different capacities. The total outstanding due is pegged at Rs 171 crore. Aswal said Rs 40-50 lakh have been collected in the last couple of days alone. "We have liabilities of over Rs 420 crore. If we collect some amount, our financial situation would improve a bit," he added.
The category of those who owe more than Rs 10 lakh include a number of large and medium sized hotels, restaurants, commercially-run educational institutes and private schools. According to an official, their properties will be seized and may even be auctioned if them fail to pay up.
Documents suggests that Rs 250 crore under erstwhile house tax has also been due till date. Revenue commissioner K G Goyal said 17,000 notices have been issued to the property owners in the city till date in this regard. JMC has also asked the officers to prepare a separate list for bigger malls, shops, hotels and other commercial establishments in the city, he added.